William Ray Howard, 85, of Rochester, Wash., passed away Friday, June 15, 2018, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. William was born July 18, 1932, in Central, S.C., to Raymond and Effie Mae Shelton Mathews- Howard.
He married the love of his life, Dimeoteen Mathis, Jan 3, 1951, in South Carolina. The couple moved to Rochester in 1976, where they spent many lovely years raising their family and enjoying life together. William was a truck driver for Lakeside Industries Inc. for over 30 years. He was involved with the building of I-5 through old Nisqually, as well as construction of the Mossyrock Dam.
William was a great and loving dad who enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved fishing, and he got a kick out of riding around on the tractor tending his ‘garden.’ He was truly one of a kind.
William is preceded in death by his wife in 2003, Dimeoteen; his son, Randall Ray Howard, who split his time between residences in Toledo and Packwood, who he lost 6 months prior in 2017; his brother, Wendell Mathews of S.C.; and his sisters, Irene McElvain and Inez Allen of Centralia, Wash.
He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Karen Caywood of Rochester; grandchildren, Jennifer Lynn Caywood and Joshua Ray Caywood, both of Rochester, Lisa Chapman of Rainier, Ore., Christy Riley of Olympia, Wash., and Melissa Hamilton of Rainier, Ore.; 10 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Ellen Garcia and Brenda Blosl of Rochester.
Visitation will take place from 12 p.m., to 5 p.m., Friday, June 29, 2018, at Sticklin Funeral Chapel, 1437 S. Gold Street, Centralia. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2018, also at Sticklin, followed by a graveside service at Grand Mound Cemetery in Rochester. A potluck will follow the graveside service at the Unity Building, 800 S. Pearl Street, Centralia.
